FACULTY SHOW 2009: Recent Work by SRJC Faculty

November 5 - December 12, 2009

Masako Miki, If I had Known What I Know Nowcollage and gouache, 22" x 30" 2009

Artist Statement

My work explores the idea of synthesis. I manipulate contradicting spatial elements such as flatness and illusion to suggest a disoriented context, where the dichotomy becomes an integrated visual reality. The narrative is based on my own experiences of living in the United States for seventeen years, and concerns dilemmas of my cultural identity. I wonder how one can truly assimilate into an environment he/she is not from. I feel mixed emotions of pessimism and optimism. I am interested in the psychological aspects of how one processes new environments and culture. In the constant adjustment, I have realized feelings of perplexity, incongruity, and obscurity, are always a part of my psyche. Ultimately, I want to believe that different cultures can be hybridized and become a unique alternative one; in this realm, I hope to find a sense of equilibrium.

In my recent series, I am creating narratives, with a sense of irony. I have started replacing figures with animals of prey that become more vulnerable in these unstable environments. The decorative surroundings create enticing but precarious possibilities. In these paintings, I anticipate the animals will make decisions any second. These are the critical moments before the disaster. Yet, it seems to be irrelevant what kind of decision they make because the whole situation is nonsensical.

Teaching Philosophy

Art making develops creative thinking and problem solving skills through a unique process. Engaging in art making often times involves intense observation, experimentation, analysis, idea development, and self-expression. This process can broaden our perspectives because of one’s own discoveries. Being able to appreciate and understand different aesthetics makes us realize that things have multiple interpretations. I believe this helps individuals to coexist and cope with the complexity of our times. This improves our communication in diverse communities because it reminds us to respect the differences among us. Hopefully when students leave my class they have recognized some of their own idiosyncrasies that make them a unique individual and others as well.